Remote-control device



C. B. MIRICK REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE Jan. 7, 1930.

Filed Aug. 24, 1927 Patented Jan. 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTE-CONTROL DEVICE Application filed August 24, 1927. Serial No. 215,249.

(GRANTED 'UNDER THE ACT 0F MARCH 3, 1883, AS'. AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) U fin type of antenna is particularly adapted for use in reception or transmission of signals when the plane is upon ground or water, in which case it is practically impossible to use a trailer antenna.

However, the superiority of the trailer antenna over the skid fin type of antenna for use in flight is well known. This superiority of the trailer antenna is d'ue not only to the greater effective height but also this type of 2.. antenna is farther from the sources of electrical disturbance upon the plane. For this reason the trailer antenna collects less local interference.

The primary object of my invention is to produce an automatic mechanism by which a trailing antenna may be substituted for the skid fin antenna while the plane is in the air.

A further object of my invention is to produce a means through which the skid fin antenna is automatically restored to its operative condition as an antenna upon the planes landing or should the trailer antenna become disabled through contact with any ob]- ect while the plane is in flight.

Further objects of my invention will appear more fully hereinafter as the description of the method and apparatus is developed.

My invention consists substantially in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts associated therewith or as will be more fully hereinafter set forth as shown by the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference s to be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specication in which numeral 1 represents the body of an airplane in which is mounted any of the usual type of remote control receivers 2. Under normal operating conditions the skid fin antenna 3 is directly connected to the receiver 2. vDuring the take-olf of the plane from land or water the signals are received upon the skid fin vantenna 3, detected through an amplifier 4. These amplified currents operate relay 5 which in turn operates the selector 55 6. The selector 6 operates the various controls of the airplane when the plane is in the air.

After the plane is in the air, by the proper selection of signals the selector mechanism 6 may be activated in such a manner that it will operate the electro-magnet 7 which in turn actuates one end of the lever 8. This lever is pivoted at a point 9 in the body of the plane. The upper end of the lever is held under tenf sion by spring 10 to prevent any accidental movement of the lever other than that `produced by the action of the electro-magnet 7. The lower end of the lever 8 maintains the door 1,1 of a housing 12 in a closed position in the manner shown in the drawing. Within this housing is a free spool of antenna wire`13.

The inner end of they antenna wire is rigidly attached to the spool 13. The other end of the antenna wire passes through an opening 14 in the body of the plane and is attached to a multipole switch 15.

As long as the antenna spool is within the housing the switch 15 is held in contact with the grounded terminal 16 by means of a spring 17. When the lever 8 is'released the spool of antenna wire falls from the housing 12 and unrolls until the spool hangs at the f free end of the antenna. The weight of the antenna spool should .be sufficient to shift the contact'of switch 15 from the grounded terminal to the terminal 18 of the trailing antenna.

It is to be understood that a suitable loading of inductance or capacity is connected between the terminal 18 and the trailing antenna so that the change between the contacts produces no change in the tuning of the receiver.

During Hight then, the trailing antenna 95. acts as the true antenna and the skid lin antenna 3 serves as a counter-poise.

A weak link 19 is provided in the trailing antenna so that should the trailing antenna become 'entangled with an object either dur- 100 'iii ing the flight or the landing of the plane the for the substitution of the trailer antenna for trailing antenna will be freed from the plane. the` grounded connector in the antenna cir- By the release of the tension exerted by the cuit.

trailing antenna upon the switch 15, the

spring 17 automatically shiftsthe` contactof CARLOS B. MIRICK. 70 Y the swath 15 from the amanti '1e taaie grounded terminal V16. The receiver 2, then operates with the skid iin antenna 3 as the true antenna. e

It will be understood that the above de- 75 scription and accompanying drawings' conil prehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention and that minor ,detail changes in thev constrnctionand arrangement of parts may be made Within the f I 80 scope of the appended-claims without sacrificing any `of the advantages of my invention.

The invention herein described may be manufactured and used by or for the Govern-A 2@ ment of the United States for governmental p i 85 K purposes without the payment'to'me cif-` any royalty thereon or therefor.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is as follows :y Y f A1. In a' remote control radio device for 4airc 90 planes including a radio receiver, an aniplifier and a selective mechanism for operating the controls of the airplane, the combination of al skid-1in antenna connected to one'rside of 3c the antennacireuit of the receiver, a con- Y f t 95 y,

hector grounded to `the airplane upon the other side'of the rvantenna circuit of there-l ceiver, a trailer antenna and means vfor sub-V stitnting the trailer antenna for the ground- .35 ed 'connector in Athe antenna circuit, said 'loo means consisting of .a switch yoperated by the weight-0f `the trailer antenna.-

V 2. Ina remote control radio'device'for'iirplanes includ-inga rdio receiver, 'an 'amplifiern i `to laselectivemechanism foroperatng the I 105 controls of the airplane, tlie combination of a skid-iin antenna connecte'dtol oneside'of the antenna circuit 'of the receiver, ya v'oonnectorgroundedv -to vthe airplane upon `the other side of ltiie'rantenna circuit ofthe re-` v i 110 ceiver, `a'trailer' antenna, and nians for sub` t stituting'the trailer antenna for the gounded connector in the antenna circuit, andlmeans Yfor restoring the grounded Aconnector .fw themiler mamans disabled. utk

` 113. In'a remotezcntol radio device for ai=r" planes includ-ing a receiver, v'ar'lainpli2 fier anda selective mechanism for operating the vconti'ols ofthe airplane, lthe combination of a'skid-in antenna connected to one side ofthe antenna ycircuito the receiver, a 'coni nector lgrounded to the airplane upon Vthe other side'of the antenna. circuit 'of the re# ceiver, a closure member mounted uponlthe `Y bodyof theairplane,a trailer antenna wound y 125 upon Ya spool "and disposed within a box, fa -multipole initheantenna circuit ofthe receiver :and l ineaiis for releasing the fspool and-trailer "antenna flomfthe bon, said trailer 

